Months ago I completed an assignment for the New York Times, and the story ran recently. I was to take a portrait of Tyler Brashear, 13, who lost his father, James, in car crash almost two years ago on a stretch of Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida. Brashear was sitting next to his father as a tractor-trailer rig slammed into the back of their car as they inched their way through a construction zone just after midnight. The trauma of the crash remains for Brashear. “My son before the accident was cheery, playful, an 11-year-old boy,” said his mother, Kim Guarino. “Since the accident, my son is distant, he spends a lot of time in his room by himself, refuses to talk about the accident.”
Beautiful picture. I totally get the feeling of what you describe just by looking at it.
Nice work man. The New York Times…I see you fella.
Haunting pic. I totally get this kid. I lost my brother on I-95 in Florida, just outside Jacksonville, two days after his 36th birthday. He was helping a friend pick up a disabled tractor-traile when someone ran into him and threw him into the interstate. Hit and run.To this day, I still don’t know who killed my brother – but they know who they are. This boy has a lot of healing ahead. Great piece Greg.
Tammy,
Thank you for sharing your story here. Tyler was a very strong boy. You could tell he was still troubled by what happened and he will no doubt for a very long time. But he showed an amazing amount of strength during the portrait session. I was impressed by how far he had come.
Thank you again for taking the time to comment. I am very sorry for your loss.
-Greg